A Fresh Flower Blog by George Thomas Florist, Your Local Indianapolis Florist.

Category Archives: Flowers

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for families and friends to get together, sharing lives,stories and food. Though the imagination often runs to a large, wooden table laden with food, with perhaps a fireplace burning merrily in another room, Thanksgiving is actually celebrated in many ways. Whether it’s a feast filled with dozens of family members and friends, or a small table for two, it’s the spirit of the holiday that counts. And the right flower arrangements only add to that comfortable feeling.

Centerpieces

George Thomas Florist is fantastic in designing the perfect centerpieces for your table. A sprawling, low cornucopia (or horn of plenty,) place in the center of your table, or on a sideboard, makes just the right holiday statement. The “plenty” can (and often does!) refer to food but, on this holiday, many times it often simply is a reminder of the blessings of friends and family. But perhaps you’d prefer something a little more imposing on your table, in which case our artistic fingers can create towering floral Thanksgiving edifices that draw every eye. And, of course, everything in between.

Host/Hostess Gifts

Wondering what to show up to a party with? A flower arrangement that suits the occasion makes a perfect gift! Not only do the bright colors and seasonal designs cheer up the room for that day, they last for days as a reminder of your wonderful gift. If you don’t have time to get the flowers yourself, or if you are sending flowers to somewhere else, remember that we offer same day delivery and will deliver your gift on the day you specify.

Holiday Decor

Thanksgiving holiday decor is more than ribbons or garlands or pumpkins–flowers definitely have their place. In many regions, fall garden flowers can be scarce, but your local florist will still have an excellent selection available. George Thomas Florist.com makes sure that even during the busy holiday season, you can see not only what unique floral designs they have available, but what we can create just for you. Take advantage of this all during the holidays, looking through what we have to offer to spark your own imagination of what you’d like to see displayed on your holiday table.

Your friends at George Thomas Florist will help you find the right type of arrangement, and we are happy to offer guidance and suggestions if you’re unsure which style or design you wish to send. After you order, you can rest assured knowing that we will handle all the details to make sure your flowers are delivered to the proper place, at the proper time.

Flowers are a wonderful way to communicate thoughts and feelings in times when words just aren’t enough. We love to send and receive them on joyous occasions such as birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, achievements and milestones.

But flowers also play a very important role in some of life’s most somber moments as well because of their ability to express sincere sympathy and lend support to those grieving over the lost a loved one when no words will do.

For many, ordering sympathy flowers can be a confusing and intimidating task, especially when you consider the circumstances, emotions, and responsibilities that you are suddenly forced to handle without much prior notice or time for planning. It can feel very intimidating, but your friends at George Thomas Florist are here to help guide you through the process and address any questions or concerns that you have in order to put your mind at ease.

Selecting the flowers

Garden of Serenity by George Thomas Florist

When deciding on sympathy or funeral flowers, the first thing to consider is your relationship with the deceased. Traditionally, the immediate family selects a memorial wreath or casket spray for the service. Close family and friends often opt for personalized floral tributes that reflect the deceased’s personality, occupation, hobbies or passions. These flowers are typically displayed during the funeral service.

Other friends, relatives, and co-workers have many other options available including plants and simple floral baskets which can either be used for the service itself or sent to the home of the bereaved. The best choice in this instance are flowers that reflect the personality or relationship with the deceased as many modern funeral services focus on the celebration of life more so than mourning the passing.

When to send flowers

Sincere Tribute by George Thomas Florist

Timing varies greatly depending upon several factors, but a good rule of thumb is to order funeral flowers at least 24 hours in advance of the funeral or memorial service, and even 48 hours for larger pieces like wreaths or sprays. Many funeral homes prefer to have the flowers in place several hours before the ceremony, so the earlier you order, the better. This also helps the florist by reducing the number of deliveries they need to make.

Sympathy flowers that are intended for the family and not the service may be sent directly to the home. The timing of these deliveries isn’t particularly as important, so any time after the service is over is appropriate.

In Lieu of Flowers

There is often some confusion when obituaries contain the phrase: “In Lieu of Flowers.” Contrary to popular belief, this terminology does not mean that the family does not want flowers. If that were the case, the phrase “please omit” would be used instead. It does, however, indicate that you have the option of making a donation instead of – or in addition to – sending flowers. Unless specifically stated, flowers are always an appropriate symbol of sympathy.

Other things to consider

With so many different types of memorial services and so many other variables based on religion, cultural, or family preferences, understanding funeral etiquette is not always a simple task. At George Thomas Florist, we’re here to help you make an appropriate selection and choose a thoughtful gift when filling your funeral flower order.

When words just aren’t enough…

The most important thing to remember is that a gift of flowers can make a big difference for grieving family members and friends. It can often speak louder than words and lets them know you are thinking of them during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Your friends at George Thomas Florist will help you find the right type of arrangement, and we are happy to offer guidance and suggestions if you’re unsure which style or design you wish to send. After you order, you can rest assured knowing that we will handle all the details to make sure your flowers are delivered to the proper place, at the proper time.

Gerbera daisies are bright and cheerful flowers with an irresistible charm. Not only can these daisy-like flowers be found in a variety of sizes that grow up to seven inches wide, they are also available in almost every natural color of the rainbow – except blue.

Symbolic of innocence, purity, and cheerfulness, a handful of Gerbera daisies create an instant centerpiece or bouquet, but they really shine when paired with other flowers for added texture, fragrance, and height – which is why they are the fifth the most popular cut flower behind only roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, and tulips.

But their unmistakable beauty isn’t the only reason for their popularity. Gerbera daisies are also one of the longest lasting cut flowers and their year-round availability and affordable price makes them even more attractive. They also provide added health benefits by discharging oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide and other airborne toxins at night. In fact, some people place Gerberas next to their beds to enjoy better sleep.

Great Gerberas by George Thomas Florist

For those of us intimidated by color theory, Gerbera daisies eliminate the guesswork! Their beautiful, large blooms crowd hundreds of petals onto each stem, creating a living color wheel of contrasting shades in unexpected combinations. From the classic mix of chocolate, cream, and pink, to the spring freshness of grass, blush, and ivory, or the dramatic impact of ebony, saffron, and crimson there’s a Gerbera Daisy for everyone.

Originally from South Africa where some native species still grow wild, Gerbera daisies were first discovered in 1880 by a Scotsman named Robert Jameson operating a gold mine in Transvaal.

Also known as African Daisies or Transvaal Daisies, these stunning flowers understandably captured the imagination of plant collectors and breeders who found ways to create the exciting colors and long, sturdy, cut flower stems we know today.

With as many meanings as there are colors, Gerbera daisies have become a way to express a range of emotions.

Care tips

When selecting Gerbera daisies, look for round heads and unblemished petals and make sure the stems are long and straight. To keep those stems standing tall, it’s important to keep them away from bright light because, like sunflowers, Gerbera daisies turn their heads towards the source of light.

Gerbera daisy stems also have a tendency to get blocked which can cause them to wilt prematurely. To prevent this from happening, be sure to change their water daily, or better yet, re-cut the stems under warm water to help the flower uptake water. They are also sensitive to fluoride so it might be a good idea to use bottled or filtered water if you tap water is fluorinated.

Although it may sound complicated, a little care goes a long way so it isn’t unusual for Gerbera daisies to last up to 14 days in a vase.

Did You Know?

Despite their South African origin, Gerbera daisies were named after German botanist Trauggott Gerber, hence the reason for always capitalizing the genus name Gerbera – it’s a proper noun!

George Thomas Florist is your source for gorgeous Gerbera daisies! Give us a call or check out some of our fantastic designs featuring the incredible Gerbera daisy. If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, we will be happy to design something special just for you.

While the lingering effects from a long, cold winter are finally starting to make way for a long overdue springtime, it still comes as a surprise to most of us that May is here already – but we couldn’t be happier, because April showers always bring May flowers!

May is the perfect time to celebrate with flowers – all month long! In fact, the very first day of the month is May Day – a celebration of spring that is traditionally celebrated by giving “May baskets” made up of flowers or sweets – or a combination of the two – that is usually left anonymously on the doorsteps of neighbors.

To many, this may seem like a strange way to celebrate a holiday, especially considering that the givers of May baskets would usually ring the doorbell and run away – leaving the recipient to open the door and find nothing but a basket of flowers!

In some communities, leaving a May basket at someone’s door was an excellent opportunity to express romantic interest because tradition called for the recipient to give chase and attempt to steal a kiss from the person who hung the basket. In other parts of the country, however, it was considered a disgrace if the flower giver was caught by the recipient.

May Day isn’t nearly as popular in this country as it was a century ago, and today the concept seems quaint and dated to many people in this era of text messages and Snapchat, but this throwback to simpler times is still an official holiday in 66 countries around the world.

While no longer as common in the United States, May Day celebrations still take place in some regions of the country. In Hawaii, May Day is known as Lei Day, which is a day to celebrate the culture of the island and Native Hawaiians.

Mother’s Day

Of course, the most obvious occasion for giving flowers during the month of May is Mother’s Day. This year we celebrate mom on Sunday, May 13.

Mother’s Grace by George Thomas Florist

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest days of the year when it comes to flowers, greeting cards, phone calls and restaurant reservations – and with good reason. It’s often hard to find appropriate ways to express gratitude to someone so important and dear to us as our mothers, but nearly everyone loves flowers!

For florists, Mother’s Day is one of our busiest times of the year, and also one of our favorites. Unlike many of the other holidays were certain colors or types of flowers tend to dominate, (like red roses on Valentine’s Day) Mother’s Day typically offers more freedom to design something special and truly unique – that mom is sure to love!

But That’s Not All…

Between Mother’s Day, May Day, and flowers popping up everywhere we turn, May is truly the month of flowers, but there are many more ways to celebrate with flowers this month.

Memorial Day is just around the corner – this year it falls on Monday, May 28. Traditionally observed as a day to honor those who have died in military service, this holiday also marks the unofficial start of summer. If you are attending a picnic or observance on Memorial Day, flowers are always an appropriate way to show gratitude and appreciation.

May is also the time for graduations for many students across the country, as well an excellent chance for a gift to say “thanks” to all those teachers and educators who worked so hard throughout the year.

Whatever your reason, say it with flowers this May with the help of your friends at George Thomas Florist. No matter the occasion, we’re here to help you find the perfect gift. Give us a call or come in and see us for all your floral needs – and we hope your May is beautiful and bright!

Sometimes it feels like winter will never end, but every year around this time we’re inevitably rewarded with the wonders of spring. Of course, one of the most telling signs of spring – and one of our favorites – is the arrival of tulips!

Despite their brief blooming period, which ranges from a few days to just over a week, tulips are the world’s third most popular flower – trailing only roses and chrysanthemums. With their nearly perfect symmetry made up of elegant lines and rich vibrant colors, it’s no wonder why these beautiful flowers are so popular.

Native to central Asia, and later introduced to Turkey, tulips quickly became an important part of the Turkish culture and remain Turkey’s national flower.

Their popularity really took off around 1560, however, when the flowers were introduced to the Netherlands and were so prized there that they caused the entire economy to collapse. During the height of during that era, a single tulip bulb was worth more than ten times the annual income of a skilled craftsman – making them more valuable than most houses.

Today, the Dutch still lead the world in tulip production by growing and producing around three billion tulips each year, although the prices have dropped significantly since then.

As a member of the lily family, tulips are classified as herbaceous perennials, although their bulbs differ from other species in that they are living plants that house self-contained nutrients. When the bulb grows into the flower, the original bulb will disappear, and a clone bulb will form in its place.

Tulips have three petals and three sepals, which are almost the same size and shape as the petals making them appear to have six to a bulb. They can also be found in nearly every color of the rainbow with red being the most popular. Streaking tulips boast two colors instead of one solid color. This unique combination was originally the result of a viral infection, although in modern times this unusual coloring is a deliberate result of breeding.

No matter which color you choose, tulips are an intriguing flower with a rich history – and a terrific choice when sending flowers in the spring. Their extremely vibrant colors make a statement and they also look great in centerpieces for your home or office environment.

Say hello to spring with some tulips from George Thomas Florist. We have many different options for every different occasion including one of our most popular designs, the Luscious Tulips. Call us today or order online to enjoy this wonderful springtime treat.

Did You Know?

There are more than 150 different species of tulips with over 3,000 different varieties known to exist.

Tulip petals are edible and can be used as a substitute for onions in many recipes, although many people find their taste extremely unpleasant.

Tulips continue to grow up to one extra inch after they’re cut.

Will bend and twist to grow towards light – even in a vase.

By 1636, tulips were traded on exchanges in Dutch cities. The skyrocketing prices caused many people to become suddenly rich or lose fortunes overnight.

In the Netherlands, tulips represent the briefness of life, but in Turkish culture, they’re a symbol of paradise on earth and have achieved a nearly-divine status.

Tulips have a short lifespan that typically only lasts for 3-7 days.

A sap released by daffodils cause tulips to wilt if the two flowers are arranged together.

Paul McCartney and Fats Domino are among a list of people who have had tulips named after them.

We often associate certain flowers with certain times of the year. Red roses, for example, are an iconic symbol of Valentine’s Day, and spring never really arrives until the tulips start popping up. Poinsettias usher in the holiday season while sunflowers remind us of lazy late-summer days.

But when it comes to fall, chrysanthemums are the star of the season – especially during the month of November. With their brilliant colors and long-lasting nature, mums can brighten up any front porch or indoor space. Many people, however, do not realize the deep symbolism behind this favorite autumn icon.

In Chinese culture, this flowering herb symbolizes a life of ease and longevity. Together with the plum blossom, the orchid, and bamboo, chrysanthemums are renowned as one of the “Four Gentlemen” in Chinese and Eastern Asian art and are depicted in traditional ink and wash painting

Country Oven Centerpiece by George Thomas Florist

The earliest illustrations of mums show them to be daisy-like flowers that are small and yellow in color. Today’s chrysanthemums can be quite showy and would probably not be recognized by ancient growers. Modern chrysanthemums can be daisy-like or decorative, like pompons or buttons. In addition to the traditional yellow color, mums can now also be found in a variety of whites, purples, and reds.

Around the 8th century A.D., the chrysanthemum appeared in Japan and was so admired that it was adopted as the crest and official seal of the emperor. The western world was not introduced to the mum until the 17th century and it first appeared in American horticulture in 1798 when Colonel John Stevens imported a variety called ‘Dark Purple’ from England.

Just as the season the represent, chrysanthemums are known for being hardy and strong while also presenting an unmistakable sense of beauty and intrigue. Consider including some mums the next time you order flowers so that you can enjoy these amazing flowers! The Country Oven Centerpiece from George Thomas Florist is a perfect way to spread some autumnal cheer!

Did You Know???

Despite their strong presence in the fall, chrysanthemums are tropical flowers that were originally grown in the Eurasian region.

In the Victorian language of flowers, yellow chrysanthemums are a gentle way to decline amorous advances and white mums encourage the recipient to tell the truth or to be honest.

The chrysanthemum is November’s birth flower. If you are born in November, the mum is symbolic of your soul’s many layers.

In Eastern meditative traditions, the chrysanthemum is used as a focus tool to activate the heart chakra.

Germans have white chrysanthemums in their homes on Christmas Eve as a symbol of Christ.

The name, chrysanthemum, is adapted from the Greek word, “chryos” which means gold (the original color) and “athos” meaning flower.

Some species of chrysanthemum flowers are boiled to make tea in parts of Asia. Likewise, a rice wine in Korea called gukhwaju is flavored with chrysanthemum flowers.

The chrysanthemum was recognized as the official flower of the city of Chicago by Mayor Richard J. Daley in 1966.

Every season brings with it a new “hot” color pallet that dictates everything from high fashion to floral designs. Certain decades are even defined by the colors that were popular during that particular era.

We have to reach way back to the 1970’s to truly find the roots of this season’s hottest color resurgence, and while many people may try to forget some of the gaudy looks of the disco era, it’s about time that we embrace brown once again.

After falling from its place of prominence in the 70’s, brown’s popularity has been slow to recover, which can only mean that this earthy tone is long overdue for a comeback, especially now that autumn is upon us. After years of disrespect, the color brown is back in a big way this fall.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the resurgence of the color brown is because it is decidedly anti-tech. In fact, it’s nearly polar opposite of the whites, grays, silvers and neon hues that are increasingly popular in today’s digital world. While most technology is designed to get your attention, brown is more comfortable existing in the background – blending in and often hiding in plain sight.

In color psychology, the color brown represents quality, honesty, hard work and reliability while also reflecting a feeling of calmness and comfort. Brown is trustworthy, loyal and dependable in a realistic and practical way. It’s not a flashy color, that much is for sure, but the rugged, natural color takes a certain confidence to pull off.

Brown isn’t often used as the primary color in most floral applications – in fact, it is one of the least preferred colors of the western world – but it is a very important contrast color, especially when paired with the oranges and yellows of traditional fall designs. Best of all, it acts as a soothing presence to help us deal with the stresses of modern life – something we can probably all use a little more of in our lives!